Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1887-08-26
s.ct,er from the White Sulphur.


TO day it may be said the ebb has begun.
With the possible exception OF the memora-
bic summer of 1869, when Robert E. Lee
was last here, and when George Peabody
was conspicuous among those who made
protracted stay, there has been within the
writer's knowledge none more brilliant and
few, il any, otherwise more successful. The
temperature. which during much of July
and the early days of August was higher
than it is by those at home ever supposed
to range in these mountains, has become
seasonable; and the parched lawns, by re
peated rains, again are of charming green.
The place indeed was never more beautiful,
ard nothing but the want of proper seats
prevents people from spending most of
their daylight hours under these magni6-
cent oaks. IL is difficult to see how $500 or
81 600 could otherwise be so wisely expend
ed here as in the purchase Of supply of
those comfortable and impershuble cast
iron settces which are found in every city
park, and the demand for them on the part
of visitors is general and imperative.
In writing before l remarked that the
private entertaining and the extravaganza
which for several summers had character
lied it had not been much INDUCED in this
season. This was then true enough, but
when ventured to add that sit is not like
" to be largely revived this summer" 1
counted without my host and made false
prediction. 1t has since seemed that SO
much of that extravaganza hospitality has
rarely been extended here. Dinners, lawn
parties, suppers, morning aud night germans
on a scale more or less expensive, have Gill
ed up the time, and, if such o term can be
applied without disrespect, the fun has been
fast and furious.
An elegant german, with about fifty cou'
ples and as many chaperop(e)s. was given
OH the night of the 18th by Col. Andrew G..
Dickinson, of New York, formerly OF Nir-
giria) to his daughter Mrs. Randolph Il.
Norris, of Richmond, and Mrs. Andrew Sim.
onda, ir., OF South Carolina. The costumes
OF the two ladies' principally honored were,
as am informed on indisputable authority,
golden silk, covered with handsome Span
ish lace" in the one case, and white silk
illusion and point lace" in the other, but
though q guest at the ball, am unable to at
test anything in these or any others except
the charming effects. Other germans, more
or less rivalling that OF Col. Dickinson, have
been given by private parties since, especi-
ally one by Mr.. and Miss Dunleary, of Chi
cage, and another by Mr. Roundtree, of
Georgia. Tuesday night the ball was the
annual benefit of the band-Kramer's-
which was, as usual. we'll attended. We'd
nesday night there was brilliant german
given by ten gentlemen who made up $500
for the expenses. 1t was called the fifty
dollar german" Each subscriber invited
five ladies, fifty in all, and of these forty in
viteG their own escorts
Friday afternoon the 18Th inst, occurred
the fete of the Growing Hen Society,"
| whatever that may be. 1t began with o
banquet on the lawn where scores of ladies
and gentlemen wined and dined, aud danced
Virginia reel, The company then re-.
paired in procession to the ball room, where
more varied dancing concluded the eater
tainment. From the sounds. men even al
distance, could 10 heard interpreting
the festivities, growing appears to have been
not an incorsiderable element.
The services at st. Thomas Sunday morn.
ing were of unusual interest and the full
SEATING capacity of the church. which is $780,
was in reauaiti0n. Bishop Peterkiu
| REACHED and, with the assistance ofthe rec
tor, The Rev. r. Ii. Mason, administered the
communion Bishop Penick, now of Louis
vile. and the Revs. d. Barr, Of Virginia, c.
| NJ. Beckwith, of Texas, and ]. FL. Darling
ton, PHI D., of Brooklyn, were present, the
latter sharing the service. Bishop Peterkin
| left the Springs on visitation Sunday af-
ternoon but returned yesterday to join his
wife and child here and will, it is supposed
preach again to morrow.
| Speaking of the church suggests the en-
| tertainment in its behalf at noon on Tues.
day, which was not only great success but
notable illustration of what the elect ladies
can accomplish in u short time when their
minds are given to it. The music Sunday
morning at church had been excellent, so
fer as fine singing and instrumental skill
could make it so, but both Of these only en-
phasized the want Of a suitable organ, the
one now in use being indifferent and very
small TO recognize the need was 10 pro.
vide for it, and in the single working day
intervening. thanks to the energy of Mrs. A.
A. Campbell, Of Wytheville, and Miss Gay.
of Washington, and to the kindness of the
experts, delightful matinee was gotten up
and about $40 raised for the purchase of
cabinet organ. The overture was entirely
instrumental-piano and violin-the rest OF
the music vocal, with piano accompaniment.
1t WAS agreeably varied by Rotations from
Mrs r. L Norris, who ia a pleasing elocu
ZIONIST The singers were Mrs. S. n. Leo,
OF Now ork NILES Minnie Jones, OF Penn-
sylvania, and Miss Simonds, of South Caro-
line, aided by Mr.. w. II. Grant, of Rich
mond, whose incompatible bass is widely
known. Mrs. ]. ]. Bach, of New York, an
accomplished performer, was the pianist.
Everybody was delighted with the perform.
ance, and its pecuniary success exceeded
expectation.
The numbers here, though now scarcely
so high, have this week exceeded 800, and
the place was .aayer more delightful There
has been and indeed still is an excellent ar.
rey of beauty among ladies single and mar
ried. Ofthe latter Mrs. L. c. s., of Balti-
more, formerly an Alexandria belle, has
fairly borne tho palm. More costly and
tasteful toilettes have nevor seen, aud so
beautiful as to compel admiration, in spite
of the absurdities OF the hustle and the per-
lis of tight lacing and high hoeled shoes.